The Test Drive and NFS series of games has always frustrated me.
Going way back (before PCs!) as a kid I played a video game at an arcade
where I "drove" a car in a video clip (no idea what it was called) chasing
another car. I don't think anything more than the accelerator was linked to
an engine noise which gave the impression of driving - and if the steering
inputs didn't match the predefined sequence it would move on to a crash
scene. Not too inspiring but enough to give a taste as to what might come.
About 10 years ago I got my first PC games. One was Test Drive2:The Duel.
The concept was spot on. Drive around "public" roads in fast cars. Take on
other fast cars and avoid the police. Simple enough true - but for me it
sounded great. Shame was the control was completely dire.
The Test Drive series continued - always plagued by a lack of a driving
experience.
NFS offered a similar blend. The first version promised a lot. Laying rubber
on the ground (the first to do so?) was a novelty (anyone else here remember
doing donuts in a blue Viper?). But ultimately the driving model failed to
deliver. Again the sequels arrived. Sure each one utilised new graphics &
sounds - but the promised new physics models did little to inspire.
Driver & Midtown Madness added to the "hooligan driver" titles. No sim
physics here either
So the arrival of yet another NFS title barely raises an eyebrow - let alone
the heartbeat.
Sure the graphics are gorgeous - better than RC2000 on full detail. Runs
fast FPS & looks wonderful on a PII 400. Sounds good - release the foot from
the throttle in Boxster & hear the rasp. Loads of cars - each with differing
dashes, sounds & handling. Visible damage (albeit not overly realistic -
these Porsches are tough!)
The waterfalls & a myriad of sound effects are all there.
The gameplay has a number of games within a game - career, factory driver,
quick races & multiplayer.
The screens are fully customisable - just have the gauges if required - &
place them wherever you want with the mouse.
So how does it drive - well actually very well. Sure it is not GPL physics
here. Yet somehow this genre can get away with a little licence a bit more
than say F1-2000. In GPL the enjoyment is all about getting a corner right
(or as right as I can). You go in faster than before & come out faster than
before. In my case having gone around God know how many times
In NFS:Porsche it is more about hurling the car around sideways in a
hooligan manner - knowing the replay will look good - and the replays do
look VERY good.
Its not ridiculously easy Driver type powerslides either - it does feel more
like a driving experience that couldn't be achieved on a digital joybad -
though I am probably wrong.
That said it is surprisingly hard to stick the tail out in 2nd gear through
power - more by hard cornering or brake induced slides.
FF is very weak BTW.
So by now you have guessed I like this game - which I did not expect to - so
I am not trying to like it.
Whether it will have any long term life I don't know - network multiplayer
is great - internet an unknown.
In my opinion an NFS title deserving of a place in RAS's discussion
threads - hence my surprise!
Tony
